Downtown’s Newest Cafe, Forthright, Brings Straightforward Food and Cocktails

The next coffee shop set to descend on downtown Austin will be Forthright, serving standard breakfast cafe and cocktails. It’ll be found within the San Jacinto Center at 98 San Jacinto Boulevard, set to debut sometime in the middle of June.

Update, July 8: Forthright officially opens tomorrow, Friday, July 9 with a party.

General manager Evan Shaffer said he and the team want to make Forthright "comfortable," with "clean, honest things people enjoy." Executive chef Ashley Neave, who was a chef at Peoples RX, created a simple but strong breakfast and lunch menu. Dishes and items will include English muffins, eggs, grilled cheese with short ribs, quinoa, avocado toasts, and much more.

Coffee will be sourced from Sightglass Coffee out in San Francisco. Cocktails are also on the table. Happy hour will be available, with burger specials.

Saturday and Sunday brunch will be served. There will be counter service during the weekend, with table service available on weekends. The space features a good patio with greenery, tall windows, and chairs made for lingering.

Recent coffee additions to downtown Austin include the walk-up window of Caffe Medici’s second Congress Avenue location and Italic’s lobby cafe.